Insight News ::: 11.21.11

Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate will run at the Park Square Theater in downtown St. Paul from November 30th – December 18th. Tickets range from $38 - $58 and can be purchased online at www.parksquaretheater.org or 651- 291-7005.

Petronella Ytsma

INSIGHT NEWS Julius Collins III and Thomasina Petrus

November 21 - November 27, 2011 • MN Metro Vol. 37 No. 47 • The Journal For Community News, Business & The Arts • www.insightnews.com

Photo: Suluki Fardan

Miss Black Minnesota icon

Angela Burkhalter

Bobby Joe Champion

Funeral services are 11:30am with viewing at 10am, Wednesday, November 23, 2011 for Angela Burkhalter, former Communications Administrator for St. Paul’s Human Rights Department.

Burkhalter died Tuesday, November 15, at Regions Hospital, in St. Paul. She was a fierce fighter for human rights and dignity, and for health and wellness. She was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago and maintained a relentless personal campaign to educate women and the community at large about breast cancer and living with dignity as one dealt with it.

Burkhalter, 52, was an iconic representative of beauty, grace, resilience and determination. She was one of the most celebrated

holders of the Miss Black Minnesota Pageant title.

Services will be at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church - 451 Central Avenue West, St Paul.

Burkhalter was a huge ally of the small business community and helped create successes for the Central Certification Process (CERT) and the re-alignment of the Minority Business Development and Retention (MBDR) process for grant selection for the City of St. Paul.

Her pioneering work in community outreach engaged the Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC) to conduct public policy forums to promote

BURKHALTER 7 TURN TO

seeks District 58 senate seat State Rep. Bobby Joe Champion (DFL- Minneapolis) last week launched his campaign for the Senate District 58 Seat being vacated by Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL- Minneapolis).

CHAMPION TURN TO 7 Tom Olmscheid for the House of Representatives

State Representative Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-Minneapolis)

Wikimedia Commons

Protesters gathered inside the state capitol building in St. Paul to protest against the upcoming vote by the Minnesota House of Representatives to put an anti-gay marriage amendment on the 2012 election ballot.

Vote to define state policy on marriage Grant supports art at Ascension Place Courtesy of Metropolitan Regional Arts Council

Ascension Place received funding for a multidisciplinary arts program for residents of Ascension Place, a transitional housing program serving women struggling with mental illness and chemical dependency. The 2011 - 2012 program will include creative writing, sewing, and soul art groups, in addition to hosting six artists-in-residence. Presenting the check was Senator Linda Higgins.

Receiving the check were Mary Stein and Hillary DeParde. Funds were provided by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council through appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature and the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund of the Legacy Amendment.

MRAC TURN TO 7

Murua

Being thankful and learning optimism

PAGE 2

Aesthetics

Collecting canned goods for the greater good

PAGE 4

By Lydia Schwartz Contributing Writer Next year, on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, the people of Minnesota will vote on a referendum amending the state constitution, which will officially define marriage as being strictly between a man and a woman. The Constitution of the State of Minnesota was designed to protect its citizens;

Aesthetics

Book review: My Long Trip Home

PAGE 5

this proposed amendment is one based on inequality and the notion that some families are better than others. If passed, it means that Minnesota will have officially declared a large portion of its citizens and families not worthy of contributing to society.

Minnesota already has some of the toughest laws in the nation barring LGBT domestic

MARRIAGE TURN TO 8

Sports

Enoch Elliot leads strong Minnesota showing

PAGE 12

Page 2 • November 21 - November 27, 27 2011 • Insight News

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Being thankful and learning optimism Murua (Swahili for ‘Respect’)

By Dr. BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, Ph.D., L.P. When my mother was alive, we used to go home every Thanksgiving. It was a family tradition. Even when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, we would rent a hotel and the manager would give us a free room for our family dinner. I remember our last Thanksgiving with her and how we sat around after dinner singing spirituals and gospel songs. Even though she was dealing with memory issues, lung cancer and only had a couple of months to live, my mother sang and held our hands and kissed us all on our cheeks, our hands, and our foreheads.

In that room, we all became kids again. We laughed, acted silly, played jokes and would even do the occasional “pop” on somebody’s head before running away—hoping to be chased and caught.

The reason that I remember that Thanksgiving is because I noticed that my mother was always optimistic. She had a contagious laughter that filled a room. Even when she fought the most severe pain, she still had the humor to poke out her lip and playfully swat my brother, Douglas, who was acting silly and singing off-key. By her example, I learned optimism.

Even though she could not remember all of our names, all of the time (come to think of it—she never could)….weeks before her death, she still knew (and sang) the words to her favorite song, which went: “Because he Lives, I can Face Tomorrow.” Her favorite scripture was “All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called unto his purpose.”

Now that both of my parents are gone, each holiday I think of how important they were in my life. I think about how many heartaches, disappointments,

shameful situations, and pridefilled moments that I shared with them. As I work with kids and their families, I try to help them re-create holidays that will produce positive experiences that will last a lifetime filled with joy, and not pain; love and not hate; acceptance and not rejection.

More importantly, I also think about how to go about teaching families to use the psychological principles that lead us to perceive life in positive ways; and how we as adults must pass on those “explanatory styles” to our children as they develop skills in understanding the world.

One of my favorite psychologists, Dr. Martin Seligman, has done a lot of work on the construct of “Learned Helplessness” and “Learned Optimism.” He is famous for his pioneering work with creating an animal model of what people feel when they have no control over their lives. As the story goes, Dr. Seligman accidently discovered the concept of learned helplessness when he was conducting a study on rewards and punishments in dogs. According to reports, the experiment involved shocking the dog every few seconds to “motivate” him to push a lever in order to escape punishment and go to the other side of the cage, where he would find a reward (a food pellet).

Apparently, one day, the door got stuck and the animal continued to try to escape but could not do so. Eventually, the animal simply sat in a corner taking the shock every few seconds, until Dr. Seligman discovered the problem and stopped the experiment. After repairing the door so that it would open when pushed, Dr. Seligman resumed the trials.

This time, the dog did not move.

Dr. Seligman attempted to demonstrate to the dog that the door was now opened, but even after seeing the door was opened when the trial began again, the dog continued to sit there taking the shock. The dog had learned to be helpless. This was one of the first times that researchers were able to replicate the human experience of depression in the laboratory using animals. The

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dog (like us humans who also experience multiple trials from which we see no escape) had learned that nothing he could do would help him escape the pain. So, he prepared himself to continue to be shocked. This emotional response is a symptom of depression (which is often characterized by feelings of hopelessness and helplessness).

As Dr. Seligman continued his studies in the area, he discovered that when faced with situations where they were powerless to change an annoying element, two out of three (both animals and humans) would cease trying to affect the situation. Further, when placed in a new situation with a different annoying element, they would make no attempt from the beginning. One in 10 would make no attempt to change an annoying element, even though they had not been exposed to an uncontrollable situation to cause them to learn helplessness. And one in three would shrug off situations and continue acting to improve their lot regardless.

The good news about learning any belief or behavior is that all things learned can be unlearned, and that there is a single breath between the past and present. It takes only one moment to move from “then” to “now.” One breath ago, I can say “I was ____,” but within the new breath, I can say

Company, Dr. Seligman discovered that two years after being hired, the optimists were outselling the pessimists by 31%57%.

In his work, Dr. Seligman often asks people who are affected by hard times, to try an exercise called “Counting Your Blessings.” In this way, individuals are forced to focus on the aspects of their lives that are going well. Interestingly, as one begins to focus on the positive aspects of one’s life, positive changes begin to take place both externally and internally. It kind of reminds me of the principles talked about in the book, “The Secret,” in that positive energy creates more positive perceptions of the present and yields outcomes that are more positive.

Dr. Seligman notes, the approach to creating optimism

all built an ABCDE structure whereas, A = Adverse event or situation; B = Beliefs about that event; C = Consequences of those beliefs; D = Disputing and Distraction; and E = Energization.

To implement this strategy you must: (1) Learn to identify adverse situations or events that you routinely face and (2) Learn to monitor your beliefs (or thoughts) about those events that come to your mind (write down the “recordings” you play in your head). You will also need to (3) Notice your feelings or emotions about the consequences of those beliefs (and write them down); and (4) Once you have gotten familiar with these components, dispute those beliefs and distract yourself from continuing the play the same old ideas over again.

OPTIMISM TURN TO 3

“I am____.” The work of Dr. Seligman has now moved from studying how people learned to be helpless to how people can learn to be optimistic. His work on “Learned Optimism” involves helping people learn to routinely look at the glass as “half-full” as opposed to “halfempty.” Optimistic people react to setbacks from a presumption of personal power and perceive bad events as temporary setbacks, isolated to particular circumstances, and circumstances that can be overcome by the individual’s effort and abilities.

On the other hand, pessimistic people tend to react to setbacks from a presumption of personal helplessness. They believe that bad events will last a long time, and will undermine everything they do and are their entire fault.

Optimism psychology is based on the notion that eventexplanations of optimism (your explanatory style) can be practiced and learned-- even by those who have not consistently used them previously.

Researchers have discovered that being optimistic inoculates against depression, improves health, and combines with talent and desire to enable achievement.

Thus, optimists seem to be more successful. In a study of optimist vs. pessimist who worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance

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Optimism From 2 To dispute your negative thoughts, you can generate alternative explanations, focusing on evidence that contradicts or undermines the negative belief.

For example, you may have broken up with someone that you loved (adverse situation), and experience the recurring thought (belief) that you will never find anyone else to love in the future.

Every time you think about this, you feel sad, isolated and depressed (consequence). If you choose to (dispute) this belief, you may say “I found this person and there are many other possible mates in the world that I could love.” You may even distract yourself from letting the thought continue by engaging in activities that you enjoy like calling a friend, taking an exercise class, or volunteering at a local shelter.

I often suggest to my clients to wear a rubber band and snap it on your wrist while saying “Stop” in a loud voice when these intrusive thoughts surface. Additionally, you can even write the worrisome beliefs, fears, etc. down to think about at a set future time. This allows you to place these worries “on hold” and leaves you free to enjoy your life. Finally, when you apply these strategies over time, you will notice that you automatically choose positive explanations for life events and that you are once again motivated (and energized) by life., you will notice what happens to your energy and will to act when you dispute the negative beliefs.

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Insight News is published weekly, every Monday by McFarlane Media Interests.

Editor-In-Chief Al McFarlane CFO Adrianne Hamilton-Butler Publisher Batala-Ra McFarlane Associate Editor & Associate Publisher B.P. Ford Vice President of Sales & Marketing Selene White Culture and Education Editor Irma McClaurin Director of Content & Production Patricia Weaver Sr. Content & Production Coordinator Ben Williams Production Andrew Notsch Distribution/Facilities Manager Jamal Mohamed Facilities Support / Assistant Producer, Conversations with Al McFarlane Bobby Rankin Receptionist Lue B. Lampley Staff Writer Ivan B. Phifer Contributing Writers Maya Beecham Brenda Colston Julie Desmond S. Himie Marcia Humphrey Alaina L. Lewis Lydia Schwartz Stacey Taylor Photography Suluki Fardan Tobechi Tobechukwu Contact Us: Insight News, Inc. Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis., MN 55411 Ph.: (612) 588-1313 Fax: (612) 588-2031 Member: Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium (MMMC), Midwest Black Publishers Coalition, Inc. (MBPCI), National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Postmaster: Send address changes to McFarlane Media Interests, Marcus Garvey House 1815 Bryant Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55411.

Insight News • November 21 - November 27, 27 2011 • Page 3 Being thankful takes practice, frequent exposure to an environment where people who surround you have “an attitude” of “gratitude.” A friend of mine, Dr. Vern Cornelia Price, wrote a wonderful book entitled: “The Power of People: The Four Types of People who can Change Your Life.” In the book, she describes people who are “Adders” and who bring value to your life, “Multipliers” who even exceed the interpersonal gifts in terms of the value they bring into your life. She also describes “Subtractors” who

make emotional withdrawals, but not deposits. Finally, she acknowledges “Dividers” who keep chaos and mess going in your life. As you read her book, you will notice that optimism comes with affiliating with optimistic people. Peace, growth, prosperity, hope, love, and charity are the by-products of loving relationships with healthy people. On the other hand, it is realistic to be pessimistic if all you do is surround yourself with people who are subtractors or dividers. In those relationships, hopelessness, and disharmony

often prevail.

Finally, it is important that you “check yo’sef” to determine if you have learned to be a “Subtractor,” “Divider” or “Pessimist” in your interpersonal relationships. If you are negative, acknowledge the problem and take serious steps to get help through therapy and by reading books like the one written by Dr. Price. You have the right to unlearn negative ways of viewing the world. You deserve a better life. All you have to do is take a “new breath” and step into your “now” in order to claim a

future filled with laughter, joy, companionship, love, peace, happiness, and thanksgiving.

BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya, Ph.D., L.P. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who serves as the President of Brakins Consulting and Psychological Services, and Executive Director of the African American Child Wellness Institute. She has over 30 years of experience in the field psychology specializing in violence recovery and multicultural mental health and is recognized as a Board

Certified Diplomat/Fellow, in African Centered/Black Psychology by the Association of Black Psychologists.

Dr. Garrett-Akinsanya warns that this column should in no way be construed as constituting a therapeutic relationship through counseling or advice.

To forward a comment about this article or to make an appointment, please contact Dr. Garrett-Akinsanya by emailing her at: bravadaakinsanya@ hotmail.com or by telephone at 763-522-0100 or 612-302-3140.

Page 4 • November 21 - November 27, 27 2011 • Insight News

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EDUCATION Collecting canned goods for the greater good Through its participation in National Make a Difference Day, Admission Possible celebrated service by harvesting canned goods from neighborhoods across the Twin Cities.

Dedicating their Saturday to the cause, more than 1,000 Admission Possible students, staff and volunteers traveled door-to-door in 15 metro locations on Saturday in search of non-perishable food items for donation to the Emergency Food Shelf Network.

Students from the 19 Admission Possible partner high schools engaged in a friendly competition to see which high school group could collect the most donations to help those in need. In total, they gathered more than 7,000 non-perishable food items.

Admission Possible makes community service a key component for the lowincome students participating in the organization’s free, afterschool college preparatory programming. By encouraging students to develop an ethic of service, Admission Possible helps them see their own potential for making a difference in their communities and develops important leadership skills. Each student completes a minimum of 16 hours of community service during the two-year program.

“Trick-or-Canning was a tremendous experience. It was the first time that I’ve ever done anything like that. I hope we do it again next year,” said Robbinsdale Cooper junior Markell Slaughter. “In the Twin Cities, there is plenty of food to go around, but there are still people in need of food. That is a problem.”

“We’re helping other families who aren’t as fortunate and need help,” said Highland Park senior Kim Hines. “It’s good to know that you’ve helped someone.”

After the surrounding neighborhoods gathered a cornucopia of non-perishable food items, Make a Difference Day participants gathered at Minneapolis Sports Center to measure the harvest and celebrate their hard work with a service rally. This year Robbinsdale Armstrong High School collected the most donations per student.

“I hope each one of you has been inspired to give back to your community today, and to stay involved in the future,” said Delinda Rood, Admission Possible Twin Cities development director, in her closing remarks to the students. “You have shown your appreciation for the community support that makes our program possible.”

Highland Park seniors Vernessa Colston (jacket) and Kim Hines (sweatshirt)

Admission Possible

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Insight News • November 21 - November 27, 27 2011 • Page 5

AESTHETICS Book review: My Long Trip Home Book Review

By Kam Williams kam@insightnews.com “His father, Syl Whitaker, was the charismatic grandson of slaves… His mother, Jeanne Theis, was a shy, World War II refugee from France…They met in the mid-Fifties, when he was a college student and she was his professor, and they carried on a secret romance for more than a year before marrying and having two boys…

My Long Trip Home is a reporter’s search for the factual and emotional truth about a complicated and compelling family, a son’s haunting meditation on the nature of love, loss, identity and forgiveness.”

- Excerpted from the Inside Cover Page As Managing Editor of CNN Worldwide, Mark Whitaker is currently in charge of content and reporting for the world’s largest, global television network. Previously, he made history as Newsweek’s first African-American Editor-inChief.

To his credit, Whitaker

Mark Whitaker has achieved his phenomenal, professional success in spite of being raised in a very dysfunctional family by parents as different as night and day, literally and figuratively. His mother, Jeanne, was in her fourth year as a French professor at Swarthmore College when she found herself being pursued by one of her students, Syl.

Since this was America in the 1950s, perhaps of more significance than their age difference was the fact that she was white, conventional and the daughter of devout Christian missionaries while he was Black, immature, and a relativelybohemian free-love advocate.

Nonetheless, the unlikely couple secretly embarked on a

Big Budget Films Arthur Christmas (PG for rude humor) Animated, 3-D adventure revolving around the effort of Santa Claus’ (Hugh Laurie) kind-hearted, clumsy son (James McAvoy) to deliver a bicycle to a little girl (Ramona Marquez) his

father accidentally forgot to leave any presents. Voice cast includes Bill Nighy, Joan Cusack, Jim Broadbent and Imelda Staunton.

Hugo (PG for mature themes,action, peril and smoking) Martin Scorsese directed this 3-D fantasy, set in the Thirties, about a 12 year-old orphan (Asa Butterfield) befriended by a

toymaker (Ben Kingsley) and a fellow street urchin (Chloe Grace Moretz) while living in the walls of a Paris train station. With Sacha Baron Cohen, Jude Law, Jude Law, Christopher Lee and Richard Griffiths.

The Muppets (PG for mild crude humor) Miss Piggy (Eric Jacobson) and her puppet pals

THREE-TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNING

SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS

torrid affair and wed just a couple of months after his graduation.

Unfortunately, although their union soon produced two precious sons, it would only last about a half-dozen years.

For Syl had a weakness for both broads and booze. Worse, he turned into an ill-tempered lush to boot, when liquored up on the

MOVIES TURN TO 6

www.SoundsOfBlackness.com

This family-friendly musical production brings Santa, Mrs. Claus, & Rudolph the Rappin’ Reindeer to life in hilarious song & dance, as they learn the true meaning of Christmas.

The music ranges from R&B & Hip-Hop to Jazz, Blues & Gospel, featuring Sounds of Blackness singers & band in show-stopping, roof-raising songs & scenes. This is a must see performance for the whole family!

MONDAY · 7:30 PM • ALL AGES

On Sale NOW!

GUTHRIE THEATER Wurtele Thrust Stage

33.50 / $35.50 Adults $ 17.50 Kids 10 & under

$

PLUS APPLICABLE FEES

Independent & Foreign Films The Artist (PG-13 for a crude gesture and a disturbing image) Black & white film, set in Hollywood in 1927, chronicling the contrasting fortunes of a fading, silent movie star (Jean Dujardin) and an emerging ingénue (Berenice Bejo) positioned to leverage her big break in the talkies. With John Goodman, James Cromwell, Malcolm McDowell and Penelope Ann Miller.

House of Tolerance (Unrated) Atmospheric adventure set in a bordello and revolving around a passive prostitute (Alice Barnole) who lets herself be disfigured by a regular client (Laurent Lacotte).

With Hafsia Herzi, Celine Sallette and Jasmine Trinca. (In French with subtitles)

A Musical Fantasy!

December 19

reunite to stage a telethon with the help of three fans (Jason Segel, Amy Adams and Peter Linz) in order to save their old theater from a greedy oil tycoon’s (Chris Cooper) wrecking ball. Cast includes Dr. Ken Jeong, Rashida Jones, Zach Galifianakis and Alan Arkin.

A Dangerous Method (R for sexuality and brief profanity) Historical drama highlighting how psychiatrist Carl Jung’s (Michael Fassbender) iconoclastic protégé Sigmund Freud’s (Viggo Mortensen) unorthodox approach to treatment of a troubled young woman (Keira Knightley) led to both a complicated love triangle and the birth of psychoanalysis.

With Vincent Cassel, Sarah Gadon and Andre Hennicke.

The Night Before Christmas

www.suemclean.com

Reserved Seats available at the Guthrie Theater Box Office, by calling 612.377.2224 and online at GuthrieTheater.org

colleagues’ wives and for staggering around the campus drunk, until he was finally given a severance package and shipped off to rehab. On the home front, not only was Syl a deadbeat dad after the divorce, but he was too busy making whoopee with fellow swingers even to call his sons, let alone share some quality time with them.

This makes Mark’s subsequent ascension up the corporate ladder something of a major miracle, especially given his mother’s simultaneous battle with depression as she struggled to keep a roof over her kids’ heads. Meanwhile, Mark was compensating for his anger at being abandoned by his father by acting out and overeating to the point of obesity.

Reflecting both a reporter’s painstaking attention to detail and a Prodigal’s Son’s sincere search for closure and redemption, My Long Trip Home is a riveting, revealing, and heartbreaking memoir affirming the potential of even the messiest of lives to blossom belatedly into something satisfying and beautiful.

he torpedoed his own promising career in the process.

For instance, after being hired to head Princeton University’s newly-created Black Studies Department, he developed a reputation for propositioning

My Long Trip Home: A Family Memoir

by Mark Whitaker Simon & Schuster Hardcover, $25.99 368 pages, Illustrated ISBN: 978-1-4516-2754-1

Pete Williams

This week at the movies

By Kam Williams

sauce.

In no uncertain terms, the abusive husband repeatedly made it clear to his wife that he considered theirs an open marriage, whether she was prepared to join him in participating in the Sexual Revolution or not. And he proceeded to imbibe and sleep around with such abandon that

Page 6 • November 21 - November 27, 27 2011 • Insight News

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HEALTH Don’t lose sight of diabetic eye disease Diabetes affects nearly 26 million people in the United States. In addition, another 79 million people are estimated to have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts people at increased risk for diabetes. All people with diabetes, both type 1 and type 2, are at risk for diabetic eye disease, a leading cause of vision loss and blindness.

“The longer a person has diabetes the greater is his or her risk of developing diabetic eye disease,” said Dr. Suber Huang, chair of the Diabetic Eye Disease Subcommittee for the National Eye Institute’s (NEI) National Eye Health Education Program. “If you have diabetes, be sure to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. Diabetic eye disease often has no early warning signs, but can be detected early and treated before noticeable vision loss occurs.”

Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that

people with diabetes may face as a complication of the disease and includes diabetic retinopathy, cataract, and glaucoma. Diabetic retinopathy, the most common diabetic eye disease, is the leading cause of blindness in adults 20–74 years of age.

According to NEI, 4.1 million people have diabetic eye disease and its prevalence is projected to increase to 7.2 million by 2020.

While all people with diabetes can develop diabetic eye disease, African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Hispanics/Latinos, and older adults with diabetes are at higher risk of losing vision or going blind from it. All people with diabetes should have a dilated eye exam at least once a year to detect vision problems early. In fact, with early detection, timely laser surgery, and appropriate follow-up care, people with advanced diabetic retinopathy can reduce their risk of blindness by 90 percent.

NEI

Clinical research, supported in part by NEI, has shown that maintaining good control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can slow the development and progression of diabetic eye disease. In addition to regular dilated eye exams, people with diabetes should do the following to keep their health on TRACK: Take your medications.

Reach and maintain a healthy weight.

Add physical activity to your daily routine.

Control your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Kick the smoking habit.

“Don’t lose sight of diabetic eye disease,” added Dr. Huang.

“Don’t wait until you notice an eye problem to have an exam because vision that is lost often cannot be restored.”

For more information on diabetic eye disease and tips on finding an eye care professional or financial assistance for eye care, visit www.nei.nih.gov/ diabetes or call NEI at 301-496-

5248.

The National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the National Institutes of Health, leads the federal government’s research on the visual system and eye diseases. NEI supports basic and clinical science programs that result in the development of sight-saving treatments. For more information, visit www.nei. nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih. gov.

Movies From 5 Romantics Anonymous (Unrated) 12-step comedy about a painfully-shy chocolatier (Benoit Poelvoorde) who falls in love with a new assistant (Isabelle Carre) suffering from the same affliction. Support cast includes Swann Arlaud, Pierre Niney and Lise Lametrie.

My Week with Marilyn (R for profanity) Strange bedfellows adventure about the unlikely set romance which blossomed between newlywed Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams) and a star-struck crew member (Eddie Redmayne) during the filming of The Prince and the Showgirl in September of 1956. With Kenneth Branagh as Sir Laurence Olivier, Julia Ormond as Vivien Leigh and Dougray Scott as Arthur Miller.

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Champion From 1 Linda Higgins, last Monday announced she will not seek re-election in 2012. Higgins’ current term expires in January of 2013.

“I’ve been honored to serve the residents of North and Downtown Minneapolis for 15 years. I’m proud of what we have accomplished, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to serve our community,” Higgins said announcing her retirement.

Insight News • November 21 - November 27, 27 2011 • Page 7 “I am inspired by my Senator, and I wish her all the best as she continues to advocate for the people of Minnesota. I can only hope to continue her work and represent the needs and values of our district in the State Senate,” Champion said.

Higgins was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1996 and represents the residents of North Minneapolis, North Loop, and Downtown in Senate District 58. She chaired the Senate’s Public Safety Budget Division from 2006 to 2010 and the State and Local Government Operations Committee from 2003 to

2006. She served as Majority Whip from 2001 to 2006. She currently is the DFL lead on the Senate’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Champion was first elected to the Minnesota House in 2008, and said he is eager to continue fighting for a better Minnesota, with a priority on using balanced budget approaches.

“We cannot continue to take out loans on our children’s futures to pay for the services we need today, “ Champion said. “We need an education system that gives all kids the opportunity to succeed; budget policies that ask the wealthiest

Courtesy of Metropolitan Regional Arts Council

Urban Spectrum Theatre received funding to engage teens and young adults in arts classes and workshops that will culminate in a community production of John Sayles’ Honeydripper.

Presenting the check were Senator Patricia Torres Ray and Representative Jean Wagenius.

Receiving the check were Al Drears and Judy Cooper Lyle. Funds were provided by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council through appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature and the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund of the Legacy Amendment.

MRAC From 1 On November 1, 2011 Minneapolis area arts organizations were presented checks for recently awarded arts projects. MRAC awarded $515,707 to 56 organizations/projects in the first round of its FY 2011 2012 Arts Activities Support grant program. The grants were awarded through a competitive process by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council using funds from appropriations by the Minnesota State Legislature and the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund of the Legacy

Amendment. Legislators from each arts group’s district presented the awards.

The organizations and projects chosen demonstrate both strong artistic quality and a connection to a community. The projects funded include: photography workshops; puppetry; choral, orchestral, and jazz music; theater performances; film festivals; traditional and ethnic dance; outdoor concerts and more.

The arts groups honored were: Al-Bahira Middle Eastern Dance Theater, Angel Foundation, Ascension Place, Centro Cultural Chicano, Inc., Cleveland Neighborhood Association, Ethnic Dance Theatre, Kairos Dance Theatre, Les Jolies Petites School of Dance, Minneapolis

Pops Orchestra Association, Minnesota Guitar Society, Mixed Precipitation, Open Eye Figure Theatre, Patrick’s Cabaret, Plymouth Christian Youth Center, Red Eye Collaboration, Tapestry Folkdance Center, The Singers Minnesota Choral Artists, Theatre Novi Most, Theatre Unbound, Twin Cities Jazz Workshops, Urban Arts Academy, Urban Spectrum Theatre, Walking Shadow Theatre Company, and Weaver’s Guild of Minnesota.

For more information about the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and a list of recent grant awards with project descriptions visit the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council Web site at www. mrac.org.

Minnesotans to pay their fair share; equal access to quality health care; improvements in our affordable housing; and smart investments in economic development and jobs. I look forward to bringing my voice to the Senate just as I’ve done in the House.”

Champion lives in the Lyn Park neighborhood in Minneapolis with his wife Dr. Angela Champion and their children. A former Assistant Attorney General for Minnesota, Champion has a law practice that focuses on family law and juvenile justice.

Burkhalter From 1 opportunity and access in St. Paul.

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Burkhalter moved to Minnesota upon completion of high school to attend Macalester College in St. Paul. While a student at Macalester, she won the Ms. Black Minnesota Pageant, and launched a career as a fashion model and make-up artist.

She was a master communicator whose strengths

included the ability to bring people with disparate ideas and interests to the table of shared values and mutual benefit. She was an exceptional negotiator, brokering relationships where everybody came out a winner.

Burkhalter is survived by her daughter, Angelica, her parents John and Oceanna Burkhalter, and siblings, Marilyn Shoots, Mario Burkhalter, Tonya Burkhalter, and Tony Burkhalter.

Internment is at Crystal Lake Cemetery and Funeral Chapel at Penn and Dowling Avenue North, Minneapolis, immediately following the service. Repast follows immediately at Mount Olivet Baptist Church.

Page 8 • November 21 - November 27, 27 2011 • Insight News

Marriage From 1 partnerships and civil unions from obtaining spousal privileges and other family protections. Same-sex partners and their children currently do not qualify for health care coverage that employers only extend through marriage, are often not eligible for family leave if a loved one is sick, and face excessive obstacles in obtaining adoption protections.

The referendum, which asks the state to make discrimination part of our constitution, was approved by the Minnesota House of Representatives (House File 1613) on May 22 by a vote of 70 to 62. Senate File 1309 had passed on May 11 by a 38 to 27 vote. The DFL had been able to block the proposed constitutional amendment for a number of years in the

state legislature, but now that Republicans have control of both chambers, its passage was assured. Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton vehemently opposes the measure but has no voice in the decision. State constitutional amendments passed by the Minnesota Legislature do not require the governor’s signature in order to be placed on the ballot, and he cannot veto the results.

Supporting equality should mean allowing all individuals and families to contribute to society because everyone has the right to essential human dignity.

Minnesota State Senator D. Scott Dibble (DFLMinneapolis), who lives with his partner Richard Leyva, says that it is a shame that so much money and energy will be invested into creating a negative environment, resources that could have been used elsewhere.

Supporters of the proposal say that the amendment is

necessary in order to prevent judges and future legislators in Minnesota from overturning current law. DFL analysts predict much of their rallying will consist of appealing to casual homophobia, that unfortunately, still work. The campaign to pass this amendment may, Dibble says, “be the biggest this state has ever seen. It will be expensive for both sides and will only serve to put us further in debt…We have all kinds of families in this state but we all do have a few things in common: love, and the desire to protect and take care of each other.”

Every possible ally is needed in the fight for LGBT equality.

Minnesotans United for All Families (www.MNUnited.org) is leading the campaign to defeat the amendment. Overcoming the proposition will be a remarkable step toward making our state a better place. The power of community organizing is not dead but we must learn to see everyone around us through the common lens of humanity.

By coming around a common vision, together can we can make our state more inclusive.

Justin Anderson, an LGBT youth activist and intern at

insightnews.com OutFront Minnesota, works to make schools safer for students by creating protected spaces for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth. OutFront provides programs and services to Minnesota’s LGBT and allied communities in hopes of eliminating homophobia and achieving full equality for all people. Children often tease each other for differences among friends, mostly as a defense mechanism against something they may not completely understand about themselves.

Unfortunately, it does not stop at jokes on the playground. Kids who do not have a “normal sense of gender identity” are often verbally and physically harassed multiple times a day at school— even in the classroom.

Sadder still, is that these bullies grow up to be activists for legally stifling the opportunities of homosexuals and muting those who do not accept gender stereotypes. Many agree that the proposed constitutional amendment is nothing more than an adult form of bullying people for their gender and family identities. Some argue that the recently repealed ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy of the United

States’ Armed Forces, which officially ended on September 20, was another example of discrimination against American soldiers for their sexual orientation.

Anderson also volunteers for Justin’s Gift (www.JustinsGift. org), an organization that was created after the tragic suicide of 15-year-old Justin Aaberg on July 9, 2010. It came as a terrible shock to Aaberg’s mother, Tammy, as he had a supportive home life and wonderful friends, was a gifted composer, and performed in his high school’s orchestra and musicals. She says that she “had no idea he was being tormented in school for being gay.”

“From about sixth through twelfth grades,” Anderson says, “I heard anti-gay slurs everyday.

Not just once a day but multiple times, in the hallways and in class…After hearing phrases such as, ‘Gay people should just kill themselves so we don’t have to deal with them,’ so many times, I began to feel like ‘maybe I should. Maybe my friends and family would be better off without me.’”

Even though some teachers

will stand up when a gay student is being harassed, many do nothing. Anderson says he is very grateful for teachers like Jann Garofano, part of the Anoka-Hennepin Education Minnesota union (Local 7007), who does not tolerate bullying when she sees it. Garofano says she is dismayed by current faculty policies of remaining neutral on LGBT issues because gay students have a lack of role models in curriculums. Some say the acceptance of gender and sexuality studies at higher education institutions is likely to eventually work itself into the K-12 curriculum. “School curriculums need to reflect the entire student body,” Garofano says, “including homosexuals.”

Many have joined together in telling Aaberg’s story, and working to make sure that young people know that help is out there, because every person is born with gifts that need to be shared. Some say, if everyone is simply less afraid to just be themselves, it will eventually force others into developing at least some sort of tolerance, even if it is at arm’s length.

insightnews.com

Insight News • November 21 - November 27, 27 2011 • Page 9

How the West is winning Ghana Gone to Ghana

By Cordie Aziz Columnist Cordie Aziz is a former congressional staffer who moved to Ghana after losing her job in January 2011. Follow her daily adventures at goneiighana. blogspot.com When I lived in America, Africa was everywhere I went.

Many of my friends were second generation African, so it was not unusual to see them wearing bright color fabrics in modern styles. The homes I visited, often had some sort of African statue or art, reminding the owner that, although they may be in America now, their roots were from the Motherland. And someone was always taking a trip to Africa or talking about how wonderful it would be to visit the continent one day.

However, now since I am in Africa, Ghana in particular, I often feel like I am in America. Ghana is known as the

“Gateway to Africa”. However, it is apparent that this gate has two way traffic. Each day, I am amazed about how American the life in Accra is. Now, I must admit, the further you go out of Accra the better it gets. But in the capital city, it is very easy for one to forget that they are in Ghana- minus the open gutters and super aggressive street vendors.

Women in Ghana have abandoned their traditional style clothing for modern day suits and dresses, some made of fabrics that aren’t even conducive for the weather. These same women have also abandoned their traditional head wraps, for a head full of weave. Yaki is flying off the shelf left and right here and is also debuting in multiple colors. A few times, I have been tempted to take pictures to send to hotghettomess.com, but then I feel bad. After all, these women have looked in some Western hair magazine and are convinced this is what Western women are doing. In fact, many of them think I am crazy for wearing an Afro. “Sista,” they often say, “are you going to do something to your hair.” Of course, I just smile and shake my head no.

The men have also been

The new three-story KFC located in downtown Accra on Osu St. equally hypnotized by the West.

The younger generation has picked up on skinny jeans in bright, vibrant colors with the shoes to match. And they have

also learned the art of the sag, also known as showing your behind to the rest of the world.

To this day, it still escapes me how grown men are comfortable

Cordie Aziz

with their bottoms being worn out for the world to see. They even seem to identify with the words of artists like Rick Ross and Lil Wayne, though many of

them have never even been close to setting foot on American soil.

Then recently, the first fast food chain in Accra popped up, KFC. Since its opening, the characters mentioned above have made it their Mecca. They excitedly fill their bodies with excessive amounts of grease in hopes of feeling more Western.

After all, it has to be good, Americans and Europeans have been enjoying it for years. The worst part of it all, this KFC doesn’t even have buttermilk biscuits, so people don’t even know what they are really missing. I am sure that is my own personal lament though, considering our UK counterparts have a different definition of biscuits.

In the end, I must say sometimes I am disheartened by the local people’s lack of ability to identify, embrace and love their own culture. I often feel that many of them are missing the sense of self pride that drives true success. They spend so much time trying to escape their lives and get to the West that they often forget the opportunity that surrounds them in their own country. But then again, maybe this is all part of the plan of how the West is winning Ghana.

Equal credit elusive for minorities, says Assistant Attorney General

By Charlene Crowell Federal regulators and lenders convened November 6-9 in Baltimore to review and analyze whether the goals of the nation’s Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and fair lending laws are being observed. The annual event, now in its 15th year, attracted sell-out attendance to hear a series of expert presenters’ insights and analyses.

For Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez, the annual colloquium became the occasion for a keynote address that reminded the audience that for communities of color, fair lending remains elusive. “Regrettably, we have

found” said Perez, “that all too often borrowers are judged by the color of their skin rather than the content of their creditworthiness.”

As head of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division since October 2009, Perez noted that more than half of the 2010 referrals received from other federal lending regulators involved discrimination on race or national origin.

Through the creation of a dedicated Fair Lending Unit at DOJ, over $30 million in direct compensation for individuals whose rights were violated has been secured. Also in 2010, the unit reached settlements or filed complaints in 10 pattern or practice lending cases. Of these

ten cases, nine have been settled since last year.

Much of this enforcement, according to Perez, is accomplished in collaboration with the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force.

With representatives from DOJ and other federal agencies, as well as state attorneys general and local law enforcement, the task force investigates and prosecutes a wide range of financial crimes.

“Without a credible enforcement program,” said Perez, “we can never achieve full compliance with the law or fully level the playing field between responsible lending institutions and unscrupulous lenders.”

In 2011, a record number

of cases have been filed under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Currently, there are seven authorized lawsuits and more than 20 active investigations involving redlining claims, pricing discrimination, and product steering based on race or national origin.

In an effort to address the devastation of neighborhoods and home values, the Civil Rights Division is including innovative provisions to address the full scope of damage done, in addition to settlement terms stipulating more traditional remedies such as a marketing campaigns or establishing a physical presence in under-served communities.

For example, in a St. Louis settlement with Midwest Bank,

the decree calls for assistance to help residents repair their credit and provide access to low-cost checking accounts. Similarly, in the metropolitan Detroit decree with Citizens Bank, the lender must provide home improvement grants to current homeowners living in neighborhoods hard-hit by foreclosures. Both Citizens and Midwest agreed to find solutions that would allow them to remedy the harm done while also reaching new customers.

In cases where AfricanAmerican and Latino borrowers were charged more than similarly qualified white borrowers, the Civil Rights Division examined loan origination practices, guidelines on how fees or interest rates were set, and whether

there was any documentation to explain differences in prices.

Summarizing goals for both current and future efforts, Perez called for transparent transactions, prompt decisions, fair lending, and open communication with all borrowers.

“It is the stubborn persistence of race as a factor in the pricing of loans” concluded Perez, “even after you account for relevant creditworthiness factors that we seek to address through our enforcement actions. The disparity grows as you move up the credit score ladder. All too frequently, equal credit opportunity remains elusive for minorities, even upper-income minorities who are creditworthy.”

Page 10 • November 21 - November 27, 2011 • Insight News

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C OM M U N IT COMMUNI TY

North Minneapolis Neighborhood beat...

By Ivan B. Phifer Staff Writer

Interested in Joining or Leading a Block Club in Hawthorne?

Crime statistics go down drastically in the community when Hawthorne has active, responsible residents looking out for one another. There is training available to learn what to look for when monitoring the neighborhood, tips for staying safe, etc. Please call the Hawthorne Neighborhood Council at 612-529-6033.

Cleveland The Cleveland Neighborhood Association will hold a neighborhood board meeting 7-9pm Monday, November 21 at Lucey Craft Laney 3333 Penn Av. N. For more information: Debbie

Nelson 612 588-1155 or can@ clevelandneighborhood.com Toys For Tots The Lind-Bohanon Neighborhood Organization, Shingle Creek Neighborhood Organization, Acorn Mini Storage and Jenny Lind School will hold a US Marines “Toys for Tots”. The Distribution will take place 9am-noon Saturday December 10 at Jenny Lind School 5025 Bryant Av. N. The registration deadline is Friday November 25 to participate in toy distribution.

For more information: Amy Lusenbrink 763 561-1616 or LindBohanonNA@aol.com Loan Program LBNA has partnered with the Center for Energy and Environment to administer home improvement programs. LBNA loans create opportunities for more home loans and other neighborhood activities. The loan has a 4% fixed rate financing,

Classifieds/Calendar Send Community Calendar information to us by: email, andrew@insightnews.com, by fax: 612-588-2031, by phone: (612) 588-1313 or by mail: 1815 Bryant Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55411, Attn: Andrew Notsch. Free or low cost events preferred.

is one of the most known and sought after speakers in the nation. November 27-30. Sun. 8am&11am. Mon-Wed 7pm.

Progressive Baptist Church 1505 Burns Ave St. Paul 651774-5503 Rev Dr. Earl F. Miller Sr. Pastor.

Energy Clinic - Nov 29-30 Free two day Energy Clinic for income eligible Senior Citizens who live in Mpls.

Tue., Nov. 29 and Wed., Nov. 30 10am-4pm on both days God’s Power..Your Potential! at the Minneapolis Urban League - Sharon Sayles - Nov 27-30 A revival featuring Rev. Dr. Belton Center located at 411 Jeremiah A. Wright. Dr. Wright East 38th St. Mpls. Seniors will be able to fill out an Energy Assistance Community Organizers Wanted!! Application, meet with

Events

$15,000 maximum loan with no maximum income limit.

Eligible improvements include: most interior and exterior maintenance and remodeling.

For more information: Amy Lusenbrink 763-561-1616 or LindBohanonNA@aol.com Minneapolis Park Board The proposed 2012 Minneapolis Park Board budget focuses on neighborhood parks, parkways, financial sustainability and service delivery. Public comment opportunities are scheduled for November 22 and December 14. For more information, Amy Lusenbrink 763-561-1616 or LindBohanonNA@aol.com Get Paid Helping Northside Seniors & Disabled Adults The Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP) and the Neighborhood Involvement Program (NIP) serve North Minneapolis as two senior chore service agencies. CEAP serves

PHONE: 612.588.1313 CAMPLS Energy Assistance Representatives to address crisis energy connection needs, get free Energy Conservation resources and supplies, and learn more about Programs and Services made available to community members

by Community Action of Minneapolis.

For more information about the Energy Assistance Program, please call 612.335.5837 or visit our website at www.campls.org Minnesota Gynecology & Aesthetics Clinic Grand Opening - Dec 1 Drs. Lisa Ohman Erhard and Stacy Noyes, both boardcertified gynecologists, are pleased to announce the grand

Working America / AFL-CIO is hiring full time staff to take our country back from the political forces that favor the wealthy and corporate special interests over your well-being! Diversity is highly valued at Working America: Women, people of color, and LGBT applicants strongly encouraged to apply. $457.60 week base pay - Entry Level. Fun work environment. EOE. Rapid advancement opportunities. - Apply Now: 612-331-5800

Communications Specialist The City of Brooklyn Park is seeking applicants for a parttime, temporary Communications Specialist to provide administrative support and assistance to the Communications Coordinator with internal and external communications and marketing in the City of Brooklyn Park. Responsibilities include being the city’s webmaster and intranet coordinator, editor of the city’s employee newsletter, media relations assistant and feature writer for city publications. Duties also include being one of the city’s top cheerleaders! Flexible 20 hours/ week; $11.00/hour. City and supplemental application forms, writing exam and job posting with additional information and required qualifications available on city web site or address below. Closing date: 5 p.m., Friday, December 2, 2011.

City of Brooklyn Park 5200 - 85th Avenue North Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 Phone: 763-424-8000 Fax: 763-493-8391 www.brooklynpark.org Equal Opportunity Employer

men take place every Friday from 6:30-8:30pm at Kwanzaa Church 2200 Emerson Ave. N. The class is a 12-week course for Black men who live with obesity, type II diabetes, high blood pressure and hypertension. The cost ranges from $100 to $300 depending on training materials.

Space is limited to the first 10 qualified participants. For more information: Kwasi Nate Russell 612-359-0077 or Kwasinate. russell009@gmail.com

seniors north of 44th Ave. N. and NIP serves seniors south of 44th Ave. N. Both agencies have opportunities for individuals to earn $15 an hour doing snow removal and responsibilities as independent contractors. Both programs require individuals to be 18 or older and go through a criminal background check.

Participants must also have their own shovel, or snow blower and provide own transportation to job sites. For more information: Jon Burkhow at 612-374-3322.

Volunteer opportunities The Target Meals for Minds program, in collaboration with Second Harvest Heartland will have volunteering opportunities to end the fight of hunger in North Minneapolis. A mobile food pantry will open once per month at Nellie Stone Johnson Elementary 807 24TH Av. N. The distribution dates are 5-7:30 Thursday, December 15, 5-7:30pm Thursday January 26 and 5-7:30pm

Camden North United Methodist Church (NUMC) has a Church Clothes Closet 9am-Noon the first Saturday of each month and 6-8 pm the first Monday of each month at 4350 Fremont Av. N. Donations are accepted. For further information: 612-5224497.

Weight loss classes Weight loss classes for Black

FAX: 612.588.2031

Wednesday February 15. For more information: Kris Jensen, Volunteer Coordinator 651-2162761 or visit www.2harvest.org/ volunteer North Minneapolis Tornado Recovery Sites are available for mental and emotional recovery for victims traumatized by the May 22nd North Minneapolis tornado.

To schedule an appointment with a health care provider, three sites are available; Northpoint Health & Wellness Center 1313 Penn Av. N. 612 543-2566, Hennepin County Mental Health Center 1801 Nicollet Av. S. 612 596-9438 or Hennepin County Medical Center Acute Psychiatric Services 701 Park Ave. S. 612 873-3161. Crisis response teams are available 24/7. For adults, 612-596-1223 or 612-348-2233.

EMAIL: andrew@insightnews.com

opening of their new clinic, Minnesota Gynecology & Aesthetics (MNGA), Dec. 1, from 4-8pm at 1421 Wayzata Blvd, Suite 200, Wayzata, MN, 55391, 952-473-6642.

youth to the National Lutheran Youth Gathering in New Orleans and there will be a Bake Sale afterward to repair the organ. St. Olaf is located at 2901 Emerson Ave. N. Mpls.

Art at Ramset - Dec. 3 A Juried Holiday Art Fair of quality fine crafts and fine art, is sponsored by Highland/ Macalester/Groveland Community Education in cooperation with Artists’ Circle, a non-profit art organization promoting fine crafts. This is the art fair’s sixteenth anniversary show.

FREE. Sat. Dec. 3, 10am5pm. Ramsey Junior High Gymnasiums and Cafeteria, 1700 Summit Ave., St. Paul. For online info, including list of juried artists: http://www. artatramsey.org/

Two-day Job Transition Services workshop - Dec 20&22 Chart your career path, navigate obstacles and land the job. Sliding fee scale.

Tue./Thur., Dec. 20&22 9am-3:30pm., Employment Action Center Office, Lenox Community Center, 6715 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN. For more information call 612-7528444.

Miss Black Minnesota USA Scholarship Pageant - Dec 3 Featuring performances

by American Idol Ruben Studdard and Tony Award Winning Mzuri Moyo. Sat Dec 3. Red Carpet Vip Reception at 5pm. Pageant at 6pm at Hopkins High School. http:// www.missblackminnesotausa. com/ 1-888-530-4613

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program (MFPP) MFPP provides free counseling for Minneapolis homeowners struggling to pay their mortgages (and referrals for clients outside of our service area). Located in the Minneapolis Urban League building at 2100 Plymouth Ave N, call 612-331-4090 and select option 3 to speak with a MFPP representative and set up an appointment.

Christmas Concert - Dec 18 Put the real meaning of the season into your Christmas in the restored historic sanctuary of St. Olaf Lutheran Church on Sun. Dec. 18, at 10:30am.

A free will offering matched by the Northwest Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will be take to send

A Special Job Search Program for Veterans - Wed’s Facilitators: Capt.

Dave Recker, USN (Ret) and Sp/5 Stan Brown, USA (Ret).

Christ Presbyterian Church, in the Parlor 6901 Normandale Road, Edina. Wed’s at 1pm.

For more information about this workshop, call 952-943-

everyone 72. Kicked in yard game 73. Proficient

45. *Often done in four counts 49. Police ___ shot 51. Region of northeastern South America 54. Type of boom 56. Pelted, as with eggs 57. *Congratulatory gesture 58. *Listen to one on headphones while exercising

0718, or stan@stanbrown.us.

The Black Parent Group Mondays free weekly support group for parents of any race raising African American children.

Mondays at 7-830PM located at: Washington Tech Middle School 1495 Rice St. Saint Paul. Please visit the website: www.theblackparentgroup. com or send an e-mail to info@ theblackparentgroup.com African Dance w/ Whitney Every Tuesday & Wednesday •Tue. 7:00pm - 8:30pm $12 Patricks Cabaret 3010 Minnehaha Ave. S. Mpls.

•Wed. 7:00pm - 8:30pm $13 Zenon School of Dance (4th Floor) Hennepin center for the Arts 528 Hennepin Ave. Mpls.

Impact the life of a child: Become a literacy tutor with RSVP RSVP of the Greater Twin Cities is accepting applications from people 55 and over who are interested in tutoring youth, either in the classroom or in an after school program format. RSVP places people in volunteer tutoring positions with organizations in their own neighborhoods. You can make a difference in a child’s life for as little as one hour a week.

The RSVP program, sponsored locally by Volunteers of America of Minnesota, provides benefits and support to people 55 and over. For more information call Mary Jane Horton, RSVP Literacy Coordinator, at 952-9454163 or mhorton@voamn.org

Coffee Break S T A T E P O I N T CROSSWORD THEME: AT THE GYM ACROSS 1. Can cause mass destruction 6. *Part of a strength training

set 9. Ball of yarn 13. Fear-inspiring 14. Husk of corn 15. It has two doors 16. “Boy _____ World” 17. “He ___ and drank the precious Words...”

18. Packers QB 19. *Lookout man 21. ____ the Great, king of Persia 23. Rolled grass 24. Colored 25. Socialist, abbr.

28. ____ E. Coyote 30. Silver in a cloud?

35. Often done cold turkey 37. Harsh, as in remark 39. Oil tanker 40. “Do ____ others as you would have them do...”

41. _____ like a dark cloud 43. Bog down 44. Sour in taste 46. Feed storage 47. Don’t forget to hit this button when done 48. Ennui 50. *Done to a sparring partner 52. Bear’s winter hangout 53. Conservative talkshow host 55. File a suit 57. Red light, green light 60. *Dumbbells and plates 64. Narrow water-filled gorge 65. And not 67. Greek bazaar 68. Raja’s wife 69. *Sometimes follows injury 70. Himalayan country 71. *____ gym, accessible to

DOWN 1. Tailor’s actions 2. Sound from rival of #28 Across 3. Black and white treat 4. Catcher’s gear, pl.

5. Bequeath 6. Back seat 7. Jack Sprat couldn’t do this to fat 8. College president 9. Sweet talk 10. Used in angling 11. “”Iliad,” e.g.

12. Skin cyst 15. *Exercise of the heart 20. Piaf or Wharton 22. Unagi 24. Ascetic Muslim monk 25. *Glute exercise 26. 1/16th of a pound 27. Recognized 29. Vietnam’s neighbor 31. Jodie Foster’s “____ Island” (2008) 32. It describes the siege of Troy 33. Courage to go on 34. Light signal 36. Reality TV actress Spelling 38. “Wilhelm ____” by Friedrich von Schiller 42. Agitate

59. Bad luck predictor 60. Kind of bird 61. It springs eternal?

62. Try not to fall into this 63. Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of this 64. “To and ___” 66. South American tuber

Solutions Turn to 12

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Insight News • November 21 - November 27, 27 2011 • Page 11

BUSINESS Pants on fire? Don’t get burned Plan Your Career

By Julie Desmond julie@insightnews.com Recruiters often need to hire people with specific, technical

knowledge. When I mention a skill to someone and he says, “I can do that,” I feel encouraged.

When she tells me where she learned that software or technique and how she applied that knowledge, I get jazzed.

When he tells me more about the skill or requirement than I know myself, I send him in for an interview.

That puts the Expert in front

of a manager who is willing to pay a good salary and trusts me to send qualified candidates. If, when the Manager shows the Expert the project she needs help with, the Expert looks quizzically at the computer screen and says, “Uh, I dunno anything about that,” then it will be clear that he lied, and now we all know it.

Today, the only asset people have less of than money is time,

and by misrepresenting her skills, the Expert has stolen a lot of it – the manager’s, mine, and actually her own, as well. She said she knew something, and she did not have a clue. Maybe he googled the name of the software. Maybe he had a chapter on it at school seven years ago. Did they think they could fake their way through an interview?

Maybe they could. But on the job… what

then? Would anyone prefer to be operated on by a surgeon who faked his way through medical school? How about riding in a plane with a pilot who was economical with the truth about having a pilot’s license?

The Expert lied. And now I cannot hire him for this position.

Worse, I cannot hire him for any position, because I cannot trust him. And now my friends won’t

hire him, either, because I am going to tell them what he did.

Think before you agree. If you don’t know something, say so. The old rhyme says, “Liar, liar pants on fire.” If those pants are yours, you might be burning bridges, too.

Julie Desmond is Talent Manager with Lake Region Staffing.

Contact julie@insightnews.com.

The laws of consumer power in motion Dissecting Diversity

By Cheryl Pearson-McNeil Let’s give a shout out to English mathematician Sir Isaac Newton who, way back in 1687, developed the Theories of Black Consumer Power. Well, ok, if you want to get technical about it he didn’t name it that. He named it The Three Laws of Motion.

But wow, do they explain a lot about your consumer power.

Newton’s First Law of Motion, otherwise known as the Law of Inertia, states “an object at rest will remain at rest unless acted on by an unbalanced force.” The Second Law of Motion essentially says “motion acceleration is produced when a force acts on a mass. The greater the mass the greater the amount of force needed to move the object.” And the Third Law of Motion is “for every action there is an equal (and opposite) reaction.” Those of you who read this column regularly, immediately, see the connection between Newton’s Three Laws of Motion and your power, right?

For those of you who need a little help read on.

Globally, Nielsen measures what consumers like you watch and buy. Our clients -advertisers, networks, major corporations and retailers -- pay us for this information to help them best determine

PhotoXpress

which programs, services and/ or products to provide you. This is a clear case of the Third Law: “for every action (whatever/ wherever/whenever you watch or buy something) there is an equal and opposite reaction (companies determine where and whether to provide more or less of a program, product or service or advertising dollars based on your action).

But what if you don’t like how a company is reacting to your actions? For example, African-Americans watch 40% more TV than others (action) but we don’t often see people who look like us or positive images of ourselves portrayed on television (an opposite reaction).

Then you should invoke the First Law which says: An object in motion continues in motion with

the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.” YOU can be the unbalanced force. Stop watching the programs that don’t portray positive images. Tell your kids to stop watching them too! Speak up when products aren’t in your stores, or when the stores themselves aren’t in your neighborhoods. Unless you do something to throw things off balance they will continue in the same direction.

Nielsen recently released The State of the AfricanAmerican Consumer Report, a groundbreaking, in-depth, first-of-its kind study developed in collaboration with the National Newspaper Publishers Association. It highlights the buying power and areas where Blacks over-index (or use

more of) specific products and services.

We make more shopping trips annually each year (167) than other households 1/3 of all African-Americans own a smartphone (that’s 14 million of us ya’ll!)

We talk more on our mobile phones than whites (1300 minutes vs. 606) We tend to be brand loyal But companies may not be reacting accordingly: In the advertising industry, money spent on television advertising alone reached $69 billion in 2010. But for African-American media? Only $1.9 billion was spent totality for all media buys: $916 million on TV $704 million on spot radio $362 million in national magazines

When it comes to advertising, some companies are doing it right: Procter & Gamble remained number one in African-American media buys, followed by L’Oreal (SoftSheen Carson by the way is a L’Oreal brand), Johnson & Johnson, General Motors and McDonald’s were the top five companies who advertised to the AfricanAmerican market. Their ads have people who look like us in them and we can find their products and/or services in our neighborhoods.

We have to move other companies in this same positive direction. That’s not always easy. But the Second Law of Motion, which I’ve dubbed The David versus Goliath Law can be helpful. It basically says, the bigger something is the more force you’re going to have to

exert to move it. You or I alone may not be able to get more advertising dollars going to Black Media. You or I alone may not be able to get the images changed on the screen. But collectively, with a projected spending power of $1.1 trillion by 2015? Lordy, what a force we can be!

What does it take to get you into motion? Download The State of the African American Consumer Report at www. nielsen.com/africanamerican or look for an excerpt of it as an insert in your local Black newspaper. And then get moving.

More power to you.

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil is senior vice president of public affairs and government relations for Nielsen. For more information and studies go to www. nielsenwire.com.

Page 12 • November 21 - November 27, 27 2011 • Insight News

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SPORTS Enoch Elliot leads strong Minnesota showing junior and youth national championships this past summer in San Diego, competing against 600 competitors.

The contributing efforts of Johnny Jenson, coach DeAnna Smith, his parents, and tutors, Elliot has the potential and intelligence to make a mark in

By Ivan B. Phifer Staff Writer If it takes a village to raise a child, Enoch Elliot is a prime example of how this is imperative for our community and our children.

A North Minneapolis resident, Elliot is a 14-year old triathlete. These athletes compete in triathlons, consisting of three phases, swimming, biking and running. He started swimming competitively at the age of seven, and began biking and running at age eight. He trains for swimming seven months out of the year’ and trains for track three months.

“I never really knew what I wanted to do,” Elliot said. “One week I wanted to be a swimmer, the next week I wanted to be a future runner. I continuously wanted to become a triathlete and began training.”

Elliot is part of the V3 triathlon program.

Founded in 2007 by Erica Binger, the V3 Youth Triathlon Team is an innovative program using triathlon to incorporate leadership and character development to youth residing in North Minneapolis. It was founded as the Profound Sports Tri Team, but now does business as V3. The mission of V3 has three stages: Swim, Bike, Run, followed by providing character, community, commitment: life, learning and leadership. V3 empowers, equips, and supports youth ages 7-17 through their participation in triathlon training and racing.

Jonathan Jensen is a Performance Endurance Coach for OPTUM-Health Performance Training Center. He coaches ultra distance runners, bikers, swimmers and general health.

He also sponsors Enoch at the facility. Enoch met Johnny in October of 2009.

“We met at a spin class in Maple Grove,” Jensen recalls.

“Elliot was introduced to me by former Olympian Terry

the African American and triathlon community. “It all depends on what he decides to do,” said Jensen. “If he wants to do it as a hobby he will have success.

Professionally or collegiate level the potential is there. He has the capability, the parental support and the drive.”

Solutions From 10

Enoch Elliot Alexander. Enoch caught his eye and they started training together.” Jensen said.

As a triathlete, Elliot has an extensive work out schedule.

“He works with a few swimming groups for swimming specialties.

He is a very gifted fast runner,” Jensen said. “We practice on 65% biking, 20-30% running and the rest swimming,” he said.

For practice, he averages about 30 miles a week, 4 miles most days and one day out of the week a long run coupled with short 400s and 800s sprints. He runs seven days a week. For spring track team competitions, Enoch runs the 400s, 800s, and the mile. His best mile time last year was 5:05.

Elliot is also home schooled.

He gets up at six in the morning to swim, bike, then start school.

He studies geometry, algebra, vocabulary, grammar and Spanish.

Elliot’s mother and father, Cheryline and Ali made the decision to home school Enoch in 2nd grade “He attended a few community schools; Harvest

Prep, and New City. Around other students he kind of cuts up,” said his father. “As much time as I was spending in the school, I figured I would break even home schooling him,” Elliot said.

“Even in these efforts, Elliot has humble parents who acknowledge others who have contributed to the success of Elliot. Among those are coach DeAnna Smith, who is the coach for the V3 triathlon team, previously the swim coach for the YMCA. “I worked with Enoch as a swimmer around age eight.

He is one of our more advanced athletes,” Smith said. “I mainly work with him on confidence and motivation to push himself.”

“It’s a different sport other than basketball and football.

These kids are excelling and being given an opportunity to do well and fulfill their dreams as a professional athlete. There are very few, if any African American elite triathletes,” Smith said.

Smith is absolutely correct.

According to USA Triathlon

Cheryline Elliot

African Americans comprised of only 0.5 percent of the triathlon community. A number of factors contribute to this, such as cost.

“For a competitive bike, you’re looking at $2,000 to $8,000 range; wet suit $400-$800, running shoes $60-$100, travel, race entry fees which are $75$200 and coaching is $150 up to $500. The sport is extremely expensive,” Jensen said.

Another determining factor is accessibility and exposure.

“Triathletes are not something we have been exposed to,” Smith said. “How do they know about triathlon?

We don’t have a lot of pools open for swimming lessons in North Minneapolis in comparison to the suburbs. It is financial, but it is more access. It also costs a lot to play basketball and football. It depends on what the parents are willing to put out for their children and what programs are available,” she said.

Despite these challenges, the V3 triathlon team won the national title at USA Triathlon’s

AT THE GYM